Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Second Year of World War II: Russia, Europe, and the “Republics” in Donetsk and Luhansk
Victory Day is celebrated in Russia because of the Soviet Union’s role in defeating the Nazis in World War II. President Vladimir Putin traditionally attends a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. The day has been associated with Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Tuesday is also Europe Day — which is supposed to celebrate peace and unity on the continent but is marked for a second year with war in Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen will visit the country to mark the day.
On Thursday, Russia’s associates governing occupied territories of eastern Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk mark the anniversary of self-proclaimed independence from Ukraine, which nobody else recognized until Putin declared recognition of the two regions as “republics” in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be planning to go to Germany the coming weekend, say German news reports. Zelenskyy and the people of the country of Ukranian are going to receive a prize on Sunday.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/05/08/1173353825/russia-ukraine-war-news-may-8
The Final Eurovision Song Contest Presented by the Ukranian-Ukrainian Agriculture Cooperation Organisation (AKC-EU) and the United Nations
The Eurovision Song Contest finale is on Saturday. The event was supposed to take place in the country of the previous winning group, but the organizers chose to hold it in England. Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian champion, kicked off the party last week.
A group of delegates from Turkey, Russia, Ukrainian and the United Nations could meet this week to discuss the extension of the deal that allows grain and other farm goods to be shipped from Black Sea ports.
Russia said it shot down some drones in order to prove a Ukrainian attempt to kill Putin. Ukraine’s government denied it. Moscow later accused Washington of masterminding the alleged attack, which the United States denied.
Just hours before the ceremony, Russia launched a series of airstrikes against the capital of Ukraine, with the Ukrainians claiming to have shot down 23 of 25 missiles.
President Zelenskyy and many other officials sent thanks for the United Kingdom’s support during the war, while the president’s wife and Ukrainian Prime Minister attended the crowning of King Charles III. Zelenska met with the U.S. first lady, who said “we stand with Ukranian people,” after showing her a photo of her and Zelenska. Russian leaders were not invited to the event.
Russia’s War with Ukraine: Security in the Nearby Nuclear Power Plant and Implications for the “Immortal Regiment”
An official in the region said that more than 1,600 residents were forced to leave their homes around a nuclear power plant. The situation at the plant is growing more and more dangerous as shelling in the region continues, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the White House had estimated more than 20,000 Russian troops had been killed and 80,000 wounded in Ukraine in the past few months. He did not cite a recent estimate for Ukrainian troop losses. NPR couldn’t verify casualties for either side. The UN has verified more than 8,000 noncombatants killed since the war began, but they think the toll is much higher.
You can find recaps here. You can find more NPR’s coverage here. You can also listen to the State ofUkrainePodcast for updates throughout the day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked the West for their “real war against Russia”, as the Kremlin leader tried to tie events in Ukraine to celebrations to mark the 78th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Putin acknowledged the role of the U.S. in helping defeat Hitler’s armies, even as he criticized the “Western elites” of forgetting the sacrifice made by Russia.
The security of our country depends on you, said Putin in comments directed at those fighting in Ukraine. The future of our statehood and our people depends on you.
The security of the parade was a big concern, just days after two drones blew up in the Kremlin. Moscow claimed it as an “assassination attempt” on President Putin.
The Kremlin also canceled the “Immortal Regiment,” a nationwide march in which Russians honor the more than 20 million Soviets who died in the war by marching with pictures of deceased relatives.